GATE (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering) Philosophy (XH-C4) Video Course Lecture: Samkhya: Understanding Prakriti (48 mins) | Lecture 62 of 301

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Topics Covered

  • Classical Indian Philosophy » Orthodox Systems: Sankhya
  • Classical Indian Philosophy » Vaisesika

Details

Understanding 5 proofs for the existence of Prakriti;

  • Bhednam Parimanat
  • Samanvayat
  • Karyatah pravttescha
  • Karana karya vibhagat
  • avibhagat vasishvarupyasya

Understanding the concept of Gunas; prakriti is the unity of 3 gunas;

  • sattva
  • rajas
  • tamas

Understanding the nature of sattva

Understanding the nature of Rajas

Understanding the nature of tamas

Change according to sankhya of 2 types;

  • homogenous change
  • heterogenous change

Understanding the two kinds of change

References: A critical Survey of Indian Philosophy by CD Sharma, An Introduction to Indian Philosophy by Chatterjee & Datta

Question: In samkya philosophy when prakriti starts evolving and then 23 evolutes arises i.e.. mann + 5 sense organ + 5 motor organ (sattvik) + energy (rajasik) + 5 subtle + 5 gross all these = 22 then how 23 evolutes arises?

Answer: Prakriti, mahat, ahamkara, mind, the five karmendriyas, the five jnanendriyas, the five tanmatras, the five elements — all these constitute the 24 tattvas

Question: What is the evolution and involution of Prakriti called in Sanskrit? Can you please clarify.

Answer: The terms “Parinama” and “Pravritti” pertain to the ideas of the evolution and involution of Prakriti in Sanskrit of Samkhya philosophy. Parinama (Evolution) : According to Samkhya philosophy, the term “Parinama” describes the evolution or alteration of Prakriti, the original material essence. Three characteristics, or Gunas, are regarded to make up Prakriti, the fundamental constituent of the cosmos. These qualities are Sattva (purity, harmony) , Rajas (activity, passion) , and Tamas (inertia, darkness) . Pravritti (Involution) : The involution or destruction of Prakriti is referred to as Pravritti. It is the opposite of Parinama, in which Prakriti reverts to its unmanifested initial state. In Pravritti, the Gunas are withheld or dissolved, and the manifested cosmos is gradually absorbed back into the primordial source. The end of one cycle of creation and the beginning of another are marked by times of cosmic dissolution or destruction (Pralaya) , according to Samkhya philosophy. During Pralaya, the physical universe dissolves and all individual forms and phenomena return to Prakriti, where they were unmanifested.